Visiting London by car is a convenient way of sightseeing in this megalopolis of people, ideas and unending attractions that is steeped in culture, rich history and multiculturalism. It is an international capital of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and trade. With so much to do and to see in London, having your own vehicle to move about would be an advantage, irrespective of whether you bring your own car or hire one. Since there is so much to see and experience, it would be best to plan out your movement by choosing the places you wish to see each day. Given below are a few suggestions regarding must-visit places in the capital;
Big Ben and Houses of Parliament:
These are among London’s most iconic landmarks and it would be futile to miss out on these attractions while visiting the city. Big Ben is technically the name of the huge bell inside the clock tower, weighing more than 13 tons. It looks fantastic, especially at night when the four clock faces are illuminated. The Palace of Westminster contains the bell Big Ben which is located at the top of the 320-foot-high tower. It is also known as the Houses of Parliament or just Westminster where the sittings of the House of Commons and the House of Lords are conducted. This is where laws governing British life are debated and passed. It was the royal home to the Kings and Queens of England from the middle of the 11th century until 1512, due to which it got this name. The Palace of Westminster features three main towers. Of these, the largest and tallest is the 98.5-metre Victoria Tower, which occupies the south-western corner of the Palace. Generally in the second week in November, the Queen rides in a State coach to Westminster to open each session of Parliament. There are 4 clock dials in Big Ben which are seven metres in diameter each. There are 312 pieces of glass in each clock dial. To signify that the parliament is in session, a special light above the clock faces is illuminated. The Clock Tower was renamed in June 2012 as Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Montcalm Royal London House is one of the most luxurious hotels in London as it offers extremely comfortable accommodation with the best available room facilities and bespoke hotel amenities along with pampering services, besides being located in the heart of London in close proximity to most attractions of the city.
Buckingham Palace:
The official residence and the workplace of Queen Elizabeth II, it has served as the seat of the British monarchy since 1837. It is one of the main landmarks of London as well as of UK that was renovated in the 18th century to make it suitable for Queen Victoria and other members of the British Court to be accommodated here. It was severely damaged due to bombings during World War II but it was renovated again. Visitors to London make it a point to see the Changing of the Guards ceremony that takes place outside the palace every day. Visitors also take a tour of the palace to see the State Apartments and get a feel of how the monarchy lives. The palace is open for such tours only during the summer months when the Queen is not staying there.
If you are visiting London and would like to stay in a location which is home to many attractions and is close to most places of interest, it would be best to choose to stay at Hotel Finsbury Square. Moreover, you can choose just the right type of hotel suiting your budget as all categories of hotels are available here.
The Tower Bridge:
It stands over the River Thames and has stood there since 1894. It is another recognisable and one of the finest bridges in the world. You can see it in movies as well as on advertising literature for London. It is the only bridge on the Thames that can be raised. Its middle section is raised so that large vessels can pass under the bridge. The bridge sections which weigh about 1000 tons each are raised by massive engines in just over a minute. Presently, it is only raised 4 to 5 times a week although previously it used to be raised about 50 times a day. It is a combined bascule and suspension bridge due to which the middle section of the bridge can be raised to allow river traffic to pass through.
The Tower of London:
With a history spanning nine centuries, as it was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1066, it has served several roles during its long history such as being a Royal Palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, Royal zoo and as home to the Crown Jewels. It has witnessed several great events in British history.
Westminster Abbey:
Located just west of the Palace of Westminster, the Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in London that was built by Edward the Confessor. William the Conqueror was crowned in it on Christmas Day and ever since then, every King and Queen has been crowned here. Moreover, many Kings and Queens and other famous people are buried or commemorated here including Edward the Confessor, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, David Livingstone, Sir Isaac Newton, Rudyard Kipling, Clement Attlee, and William Pitt.
Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus:
This public space and a popular tourist attraction is named in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson’s Column dominates the square and it is guarded by four huge bronze lions that have been cast from melted down bronze canons, reclaimed from battleships. Piccadilly Circus is a road junction and public space of London’s West End. It links directly to the theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue and the Haymarket, Coventry Street and Glasshouse Street. It is a major shopping and entertainment area and a tourist attraction in its own right.
The post Sightseeing in London by Car appeared first on View GB.
